Difference between revisions of "Monster"

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{{Character  
 
{{Character  
| Character_name         = '''"The abomination"'''
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| Character_name = "Monster"
| image         =  
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| image = [[File:Abomination1.jpg|250px]]<br>
| image_caption =  
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| image_caption = [[Samwell Tarly|Sam]] escaping with [[Gilly]] and newborn baby through the [[haunted forest]]. Art by Isabel aka Guad©
| Alias = Little Monster<br>the abomination
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| Alias = little monster{{Ref|ADWD|39}}<br>Monster{{Ref|ADWD|49}}<br>the monster{{Ref|ADWD|53}}<br>the abomination{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
 
| Title =
 
| Title =
 
| Allegiance =
 
| Allegiance =
 
| Race =
 
| Race =
| Culture = [[Free Folk]]
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| Culture = [[Free folk]]
 
| Spouse =
 
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =[[Craster's Keep]] {{Ref|aSoS|33}}  
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| Father = [[Craster]]
| Date_of_Birth = [[299 AL]] {{Ref|aSoS|33}}
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| Mother = [[Gilly]]
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| Place_of_Birth = [[Craster's Keep]]{{Ref|ASOS|33}}  
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| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|299}}{{Ref|ASOS|33}}
 
| Place_of_Death =  
 
| Place_of_Death =  
 
| Date_of_Death =
 
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = [[A Storm of Swords]] (Appears)<br>[[A Feast for Crows]] (Appears)<br>[[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
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| Books = ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (appears)
| coat-of-arms =
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| Coat-of-arms =
 
}}
 
}}
  
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The [[wildling]] infant son of [[Gilly]] and her father-husband [[Craster]] has not received a given name yet. Some members of the [[Night's Watch]] have called him '''the abomination''',{{Ref|AFFC|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}} as he is a product of [[incest]]. [[Val]] thinks of him as a sweet '''little monster''' and '''the monster''', using it as a [[milk name]].{{Ref|ADWD|39}} [[Jon Snow]] then thinks of the infant as '''Monster'''.{{Ref|ADWD|49}}
  
'''The abomination''' is the what people call the infant son of [[Gilly]], who was sired by her father-husband [[Craster]]. {{Ref|aFfC|15}} {{Ref|aDwD|Appendix}} [[Val]] calls him '''Little Monster'''{{Ref|aDwD|39}}.
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==Appearance and Character==
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Gilly's baby is older than [[Dalla]]'s [[Aemon Steelsong|son]], but the other is more robust. They are close enough in age and size that no one can easily distinguish which is which, unless they know them well.{{Ref|ADWD|7}} At first, unlike Dalla's baby, Gilly's hardly ever cries when he wants to be fed, but sometimes gurgles.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} He does not suck hard, and only takes a little milk.{{Ref|ASOS|75}} Some months later, the baby is twice as big and three times as loud, screaming whenever he wants to be fed.{{Ref|ADWD|53}}
  
==Name==
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===Name===
The [[Free Folk]] consider that naming a child too early brings bad luck, since infant mortality is widespread. The children receive proper names when they reach the age of two. Gilly follows the same rule. {{Ref|aSoS|46}} {{Ref|aSoS|75}} Temporary "milk names" can be assigned prior to the official naming. [[Val]] chose the name Little Monster for the boy. {{Ref|aDwD|39}} <ref>The custom of  assigning temporary milk names does exist in
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The [[free folk]] consider that naming a child too early brings bad luck, since infant mortality is widespread. The children receive proper names when they reach the age of two. Gilly follows the same rule.{{Ref|ASOS|46}}{{Ref|ASOS|75}} Temporary "[[milk name]]s" can be assigned prior to the official naming. [[Val]] chooses the name "monster" for the boy.{{Ref|ADWD|39}}
[[w:Chinese name|Chinese culture]]. These names are typically either abandoned following the official naming, or survive as familial nicknames. That is pet names known and used only among closely related family members. </ref>
 
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
===A Clash of Kings===
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===''A Clash of Kings''===
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When the [[Night's Watch]] stops at [[Craster's Keep]] during the [[great ranging]], [[Gilly]] encounters and befriends [[Samwell Tarly]]. She is pregnant with [[Craster]]'s child, and fears that if she gives birth to a son, Craster will sacrifice him to the wood as is done to [[Craster's sons]]. She beseeches Samwell to help her, and Samwell agrees, sending her to [[Jon Snow]], to the annoyance of the latter. Gilly appeals to Jon, but he refuses to help her.{{Ref|ACOK|23}}
  
During [[the Great Ranging]], the [[Night's Watch]] stops at [[Craster's Keep]]. [[Gilly]] is in the early months of her pregnancy. The sheeps of [[Craster]] have already died out. Gilly has caged two rabbits in hopes of breeding them. However a hungry [[Ghost]] shatters the wooden hutch, killing the two rabbits, and terrifying Gilly. The young woman places her back against a wall and starts shouting, trying to convince the "wolf" to keep away from her. Her shouts attract the attention of [[Jon Snow]], and a few other members of the Watch. [[Lark]] jokingly claims that Jon is lying about not being a Lord. He introduces the young man to Gilly as "Lord Snow". [[Chett]] further introduces Jon as a [[Bastardy|bastard]] of [[Winterfell]] and brother to kings, an indirect reference to [[Robb Stark]], [[King In The North|King in the North]]. {{Ref|aCoK|23}}
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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After the [[fight at the Fist]], as the [[Night's Watch]] pauses to regroup at Craster's Keep, Gilly gives birth to a son. [[Mutiny at Craster's Keep|Craster is killed]] before he can sacrifice the child, however, and in the confusion Gilly and two of Craster's other wives approach Sam to convince him to take Gilly and the babe. Shortly thereafter Sam, Gilly, and her newborn son flee south.{{Ref|ASOS|33}} Sam sings "[[The Song of the Seven]]" to sooth the tiny baby at [[Whitetree]].{{Ref|ASOS|46}} After arriving at [[Castle Black]], Gilly serves as a wet nurse to the [[wildling prince|newborn son]] of [[Mance Rayder]], the [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]], after his wife, [[Dalla]], dies in childbirth.{{Ref|ASOS|75}}
  
The following morning, Gilly seeks out Jon. She is taking advantage of the fact that Craster is currently drunk and asleep. She soon encounters and befriends [[Samwell Tarly]], who helps her locate Jon. She tells Jon about the tales concerning the responsibilities of kings. Responsibilities including granting justice and protecting the weak. She apparently hopes that the brothers of kings have similar inclinations. Gilly explains her situation. She fears for the fate of her baby.   {{Ref|aCoK|23}}
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===''A Feast For Crows''===
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Gilly is sent south aboard a ship to [[Oldtown]] (via [[Braavos]]) with Samwell, [[Dareon]], and Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], ostensibly with her child. However, Jon Snow, the new [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], has swapped Gilly's son with Dalla's. This is done to spare the innocent child from [[Melisandre]]'s flames on account of his king's blood, leaving Gilly’s son at the Wall.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}{{Ref|AFFC|15}}
  
{{Quote|If it’s a girl, that’s not so bad, she’ll grow in a few years and he’ll marry her.  But [[Nella]] says it’s to be a boy, and she’s had six and knows these things. He gives the boys to the gods.  Come the white cold, he does, and of late it comes more often.  That’s why he started giving them sheep, even though he has a taste for mutton.  Only now, the sheep’s gone too. Next it will be dogs, till … {{Ref|aCoK|23}}}}
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For much of the journey Gilly is overcome with grief at being separated from her child, but after Aemon's death aboard the ''[[Cinnamon Wind]]'' and becoming a lover to Samwell, she recovers.{{Ref|AFFC|35}} Upon their arrival at Oldtown, Gilly is to be sent to Samwell's old home at [[Horn Hill]] with the story that the baby with her—actually Mance and Dalla's child—is the bastard son of Gilly and Sam.{{Ref|AFFC|45}}
  
Gilly then lowers her eyes and stokes her belly. When Jon asks her what gods? Gilly replies:
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
{{Quote|[[Others|The cold gods … The ones in the night. The white shadows]]. {{Ref|aCoK|23}}}}
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Stannis is glad that Gilly is leaving the Wall, considering her child to be an abomination born of incest. Since Stannis believes that the infant remaining at Castle Black—actually Gilly's child—is the [[wildling prince|son of Mance and Dalla]], Jon protects the boy by explaining that the [[free folk]] do not have hereditary Kings-Beyond-the-Wall. Melisandre says it is cruel to separate the [[milk brother]]s, and Jon lies that Gilly's son is larger and more robust than Dalla's, kicking and pinching the prince and making it difficult for him to nurse.{{Ref|ADWD|3}}
  
Gilly asks Jon to take her with him, south to the [[Wall]]. Jon has to explain that their host is not heading south. It is heading further north,  in search of [[Mance Rayder]], the Others, and their wights. He notes the fear in Gilly's face. But she is not dissuaded. She states that when their war is done, Jon will have to return south through Craster's Keep. He will then have the opportunity to take her south. Jon shots down this proposal. He warns that he is not at freedom to choose the path of the army. This is the duty of [[Jeor Mormont]], who might lead them elsewhere. When Gilly finally understands that Jon cannot help her and her unborn son she turns away, despairing. {{Ref|aCoK|23}}
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Jon Snow recalls how he convinced Gilly to secretly take Dalla's baby and leave her own child behind. He has a nightmare that he ripped the babies from her arms and cut their heads off, then swapped the heads and told her to sew them back on.{{Ref|ADWD|7}} Before she leaves, Gilly makes Jon promise to find her son a good wet nurse so that he grows up big and strong. She insists that Jon not name him until he is two years old, to prevent bad luck.{{Ref|ADWD|7}}{{Ref|AFFC|5}}
  
===A Storm of Swords===
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[[Val]] sings to Gilly's baby and refers to him as a "little monster". Val thinks Melisandre is aware of Jon having switched the boys, and she advises Jon to keep Monster away from the [[red priest]]ess.{{Ref|ADWD|39}} Lords [[Torghen Flint]] and [[Brandon Norrey]] each bring a wet nurse when they travel to Castle Black for the wedding of [[Alys Karstark]] and [[Sigorn]]. Monster thrives under their nursing.{{Ref|ADWD|49}} Val objects to the baby being in the same tower as Princess [[Shireen Baratheon]], a survivor of [[greyscale]].{{Ref|ADWD|53}} [[Leathers]] thinks [[Toregg]] has taken a liking to one of Monster's wet nurses, although Jon thinks Tall Toregg prefers Val.{{Ref|ADWD|69}}
  
Following the [[Battle of the Fist of the First Men]], the remnants of the [[Night's Watch]] retreat. Among the marching soldiers is [[Samwell Tarly]]. {{Ref|aSoS|18}} A total of 44 survivors manage to reach [[Craster's Keep]]. {{Ref|aSoS|33}} In the loft of the Keep, Gilly goes in labor. One of Craster's older wives tends to her, instructing the young woman to push harder. A worried Samwell listens to her shuddering sobs and loud screams. On the other hand, [[Craster]] is annoyed. He instructs the would-be midwife to have Gilly bite down on a rag. Samwell is still able to hear the muffled shrieks. At last the midwife announces that she is able to see the head of the baby. {{Ref|aSoS|33}} Shortly after, Craster announces that he has [[The abomination|a son]]. [[Jeor Mormont]] claims to be glad for their host. His stiff face says otherwise. {{Ref|aSoS|33}}
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==Quotes==
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{{Quote|My son. My blood. You think I'd give him to you [[Night's Watch|crows]]?{{Ref|ASOS|33}}|[[Craster]] to [[Samwell Tarly]]}}
  
The [[Mutiny at Craster's Keep]] takes place, and Craster is killed before he can sacrifice the child. Samwell recovers from deep shock, and finds himself sitting cross-legged on the floor, with the dying Mormont’s head in his lap. He is there approached by Gilly and two "haggard old women", all widows of Craster. The two are identified as [[Dyah]] and [[Ferny]]. Gilly brings along her son, bundled up in fur. [[Gilly]] reminds Samwell of his promise to  help her: {{Ref|aSoS|33}}  
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{{Quote|Even if [[Craster]] gave us the child, he'd be dead before we reached the [[Wall]]. We need a newborn babe to care for near as much as we need more snow. Do you have milk to feed him in those big teats of yours? Or did you mean to take [[Gilly|the mother]] too?{{Ref|ASOS|33}}|[[Jeor Mormont]] to [[Samwell Tarly]]}}
  
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{{Quote|'''Jon''': [[Craster]] married all his daughters. [[Gilly]]'s boy was the fruit of their union.<br>
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'''Stannis''': Her own father got this child on her? We are well rid of her, then. I will not suffer such abominations [[Castle Black|here]]. This is not [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|ADWD|3}}|[[Jon Snow]] and [[Stannis Baratheon]]}}
  
{{Quote|You said you'd help me. ... Please, ser crow. He’s a boy, just like [[Nella]] said he’d be.  If you don’t take him, they will. {{Ref|aSoS|33}}}}
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{{Quote|A mother can't leave her son, or else she's cursed forever. Not a son. We saved him, [[Samwell Tarly|Sam]] and me. Please. Please, m'lord. We saved him from the [[Others|cold]].{{Ref|ADWD|7}}|[[Gilly]], to [[Jon Snow]]}}
  
Dyah has two [[horse]]s available for them. Ferny presses the young man to take "the girl" without wasting time. Both old women insist that Gilly has to be taken to someplace warm. When Sam asks who “they”, Dyah replies:
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{{Quote|'''Val''': How fares the little monster?<br>
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'''Jon''': Twice as big as when you left us, and thrice as loud. When he wants the teat, you can hear him wail in [[Eastwatch]].{{Ref|ADWD|53}}|[[Val]] and [[Jon Snow]]}}
  
{{Quote|The boy’s brothers…Craster’s sons.  The white cold’s rising out there, crow.  I can feel it in my bones.  These poor old bones don’t lie.  They’ll be here soon, the sons. {{Ref|aSoS|33}}}}
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==Family==
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{{Craster tree}}
  
Samwell, Gilly, and her son jointly leave Craster's Keep, heading south. Three days later, one of their horses dies. Samwell is convinced that his weight killed the animal. He decides to have Gilly ride their remaining horse, while he walks beside it. Gilly keeps carrying the infant. Samwell notes that Gilly has yet to recover from the ordeal of childbirth. {{Ref|aSoS|46}} The travelers eventually manage to reach [[Whitetree]], though they are running out of food. The baby seems "tiny" and "quiet" to Samwell, causing the man to worry for its health. {{Ref|aSoS|46}}  They settle themselves in the longhall. Gilly soon starts a fire, and breast-feeds her son. Gilly, still breast-feeding her son, asks whether Samwell himself can sing. He admits to knowing some songs, though his father [[Randyll Tarly]] frowned on him singing or dancing. Gilly asks her companion to sing a "southron song", a song for her baby. Samwell complies and sings "[[The Song of the Seven]]". Gilly's son falls asleep. {{Ref|aSoS|46}}
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==References==
 
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{{References}}
The adults sleep together under the furs, They have taken to sleeping together to share body heat. The infant seems to sleep by their side. Gilly wakes up before her companion does. She sits by the fire, hugging her son. When Samwell wakes up, Gilly is weeping. She informs him than someone has come to claim the life of her baby. A figure emerges from the shadows. He is a wight and Samwell recognizes him as [[Paul|Small Paul]]. Samwell instructs Gilly to calm their horse and lead it outside. He moves away from Gilly and her son, hoping that Small Paul will shift his attention to him. Gilly claws around on the floor, and Paul seems to be observing her. Samwell shouts and provides a distraction. Allowing Gilly to reach their horse. As Samwell faces Paul, Gilly murmurs to calm down the horse. Already trying to lead it towards the door. The horse is scared and goes out of control. Samwell struggles agains Small Paul and manages to set the wight on fire. {{Ref|aSoS|46}}
 
 
 
Gilly has managed to escape from the longhall, taking the baby with her.  But the village has been invaded by other wights, both former [[wildlings]] and former members of the Night's Watch. Gilly stands with her back against the village [[weirwood]], as the wights surround her. Some of them kill the horse. As the wights keep approaching, Gilly screams. Her screams mix with those of a nearby [[raven]]. Suddenly thousands of ravens appear and attack the wights, feeding on their flesh. One of the ravens is shouting an instruction for Samwell and Gilly: "Go".  Samwell manages to reach Gilly and takes her hand into his own. He pulls her away from the weirwood, insisting that they have to go. She objects that the wights killed their horse. She doubts if they can both continue on foot. At this point [[Coldhands]] appears and offers to help them out. He invites them to ride on his [[w:Irish elk|elk]], an animal 10 feet tall (3,05 meters) at the shoulder. Coldhands reaches down with a gloved hand, pulling Gilly up. She is seated behind him. {{Ref|aSoS|46}}
 
 
 
Coldhands leads the travelers to the Black Gate of the Nightfort. Gilly and Samwell emerge from a well, finding themselves in the kitchens of the abandoned castle. Gilly's son starts wailing, the sound seems like "a piercing creech" to [[Bran Stark]]. The Stark boy is there with his companions [[Meera Reed]], [[Jojen Reed]], [[Hodor]], and [[Summer (direwolf)|Summer]]. Samwell is immediately attacked by Meera, who covers him with her net and threatens him with her spear. Gilly attempts to shush her wailing baby. Jojen starts a fire and sheds some light, allowing the two groups to examine each other. Bran first notices the mother and child, then identifies Samwell as a member of the Night's Watch. Gilly identifies herself to Jojen, and assures the strangers that they were not trying to scare them. Meanwhile, she rocks her son and manages to calm him down. Ending his loud wailing. {{Ref|aSoS|56}}
 
 
 
When summer approaches the gathered humans, Gilly is scared of the direwolf and tightens her hold on her son. The baby starts crying again. Samwell instead offers his hand to the direwolf, and Summer licks the offered hand. While Samwell leads the northmen to the Black Gate, Gilly and the baby stay back in the kitchen. They enjoying the fire there. Gilly starts breast-feeding her son. She states her certainty that Samwell will return for her. Her companion promises to lead her somewhere warm. {{Ref|aSoS|56}}
 
 
 
Gilly and Samwell leave the Nightfort on foot, taking the infant with them. They are heading east. They walk the distance from the Nightfort to [[Deep Lake]], from there they walk to [[Queensgate]], and then they start heading for [[Castle Black]]. They are still a day-and-a-half away from their destination when Gilly hears horses. The weary travelers make contact with the riders, which turn out to be members of the Night's Watch. This unit is under the leadership of [[Denys Mallister]] from the [[Shadow Tower]], and includes the survivors of the [[Battle of the Bridge of Skulls]]. Old friends inform Samwell of the of the recent [[Battle of Castle Black]]. The travellers join the unit to its destination in Castle Black. {{Ref|aSoS|75}} Denys treast Samwell and Gilly "most courteously". {{Ref|aSoS|78}}
 
 
 
They find Castle Black serving as the headquarters of [[Stannis Baratheon]] and his army. Gilly soon finds a position as wetnurse to the [[Wildling prince]]. The father of this boy, [[Mance Rayder]] is in captivity, while his mother [[Dalla]] died in childbirth. {{Ref|aSoS|75}} {{Ref|aSoS|76}} The boy's aunt, [[Val]], explains that the boy previously had to survive on goat's milk and potions provided by [[Maester Aemon]]. Gilly notes that the Prince sucks milk harder than her own son. [[Jon Snow]] observes Gilly breat-feeding the Prince with a sad smile on his face. However, Samwell mentally notes that this a relatively rare smile from Jon. Jon finds amusing that Craster's daughter is feeding Mance's son, since their fathers were never fond of each other. In a soft, shy voice, Gilly answers that she has enough milk for the two babies. Pointing that her own son is content with a small portion of the breast milk, not as greedy as the Prince. {{Ref|aSoS|75}}
 
 
 
Samwell and Jon later converse privately. Samwell also explains about working on a plan to sent Gilly away. He contemplates sending her to Horn Hill, claiming her son as a bastard of [[House Tarly]]. Gilly could then become a servant to the House, and the boy could have a future. Bastards can still grow up to become household guards, squires, and [[knight]]s. Jon finds this plan serviceable. But warns his friend to make sure that Gilly plays this game convincingly. {{Ref|aSoS|75}}
 
 
 
Stannis has offered Jon the chance to become Lord of Winterfell. Jon toys with the idea of marrying Val and having a son of his own. He considers that both the Wildling Prince and Gilly's boy could then be fostered at Winterfell. The new couple could also offer a position to Gilly herself. He considers the idea of the sons of Craster and Mance growing up as brothers. A relationship similar to his own with [[Robb Stark]]. He is seriously considering the idea, when his thoughts suddenly turn to hunger and hunting prey. The sudden shift marks the approach of [[Ghost]], Jon is able to sense the direwolf's thoughts. {{Ref|aSoS|79}}
 
 
 
===A Feast For Crows===
 
 
 
In [[Castle Black]], [[Samwell Tarly]] is asked to report to Lord Commander [[Jon Snow]]. Samwell approaches the private quarters of Jon Snow, previously occupied by [[Donal Noye]]. He sees Gilly leaving said quarters, still dressed in his old cloak. Her face is half-hidden by the hood of the cloak. She almost rushes past him, apparently failing to notice her former companion. He catches her arm and greets her. Her own greeting is given in a raw voice. Samwell notices that Gilly is shivering, and her face seems wan. She is evidently scared. He asks her if there is something wrong, and whether something happened to her two infants. She claims that both boys are fine. Though there is a marked difference between them. The Wildling Prince keeps crying at night, requesting further feeding. Her own son "hardly ever cries", and occasionally gurgles. Suddenly her eyes feel with tears. She claims that she is in a hurry to feed the boys, then rushes across the yard. Leaving Samwell perplexed. {{Ref|aFfC|5}}
 
 
 
[[Gilly]] is sent south aboard a ship to [[Oldtown]] (via [[Braavos]]) with [[Samwell Tarly]], [[Dareon]], and [[Maester Aemon]], ostensibly with her child {{Ref|aFfC|5}}; in truth Lord Commander [[Jon Snow]] swapped her child with the [[Wildling prince|Wildling Prince]], son of [[Mance Rayder]] and [[Dalla]]. He wanted to spare the innocent child from [[Melisandre]]'s flames, fearing how would the Red Woman use his king's blood. Gilly’s son has been left behind, still at the Wall. {{Ref|aFfC|15}}
 
 
 
===A Dance with Dragons===
 
[[Jon Snow]]’s POV reveals how he managed to secretly switch the infants. He tells [[Stannis Baratheon]] that [[Gilly]] is just another mouth to feed and he wants her gone. [[Melisandre]] intervenes, pointing that Gilly provides milk for the [[Wildling prince|Wildling Prince]]. She also points that Jon's plan will separate two milk brothers, a rather cruel act. Jon claims that the abomination is a larger and more robust baby than the Prince, taking after his father [[Craster]]. And that he kicks and pinches his fellow infant. {{Ref|aDwD|3}} In fact, the abomination is the weaker of the two infants. {{Ref|aDwD|7}}
 
 
 
Stannis is confused at the mention of Craster as the father of Gilly's child. He was under the impression that the wetnurse was Craster's daughter, not his wife. Jon clarifies that Gilly was both daughter and wife to Craster. Stannis is shocked.  He tells Jon that he will not suffer such an abomination at the [[Wall]], as this is not [[King's Landing]]. Stannis’s disgust serves to work in Jon’s favour;  Jon offers to search for a replacement wet nurse among the [[Free Folk|wildlings]] and the [[Northern mountain clans]]. In the meanwhile the "Prince" (the abomination) will have to survive on goat's milk. Stannis tells Jon that goat’s milk is better fare for a prince than whore’s milk, and the conversation then turns toward more urgent matters. {{Ref|aDwD|3}} <ref>The events of aDwD, Chapter 3 precede those of aFfC, Chapter 5.</ref>
 
 
 
Later Jon speaks privately to Gilly. He enquires on the health of the two infants. Gilly replies that she was initially afraid that her milk would be insufficient to feed both babies. But adds that she was wrong in this regard. Both babies are well-fed and are growing strong. {{Ref|aDwD|7}} Jon changes the subject, announcing that he has something hard to tell her. Gilly thinks that the Lord Commander has bad news concerning the fate of [[Mance Rayder]]. But corrects Gilly, their conversation will not be about Mance. Their subject will be his son, the Wildling Prince. This scares Gilly, who fears that Melisandre will burn the innocent boy. She asks Jon to save the Prince. He replies that only one person can save the Prince, Gilly herself. {{Ref|aDwD|7}}
 
 
 
Gilly immediately realises what Jon means to do and begs Jon not to make her leave her son at the Wall. Jon explains to her that Melisandre needs "king's blood" for her spells, and that she will eventually burn the infant. Gilly weeps softly. She offers to leave Castle Black, taking both children with her. Intent on not leaving her own son behind. Jon points the obvious flow in her plan. The [[Queen's Men]] would ride after them. The boy will still burn, the only difference being that Gilly will join him in the pyre. As Jon keeps pressing her, Gilly offers her arguments against his own plan. Mothers who abandon their sons are forever cursed, a fate which she wants to avoid. She mentions all her previous efforts to rescue the abomination from the cold. {{Ref|aDwD|7}}
 
 
 
Jon then compares a "peaceful" death in freezing to death against a violent, painful death in burning to death. He asks Gilly to place her hand on the flame of a nearby candle. With her body trembling, Gilly briefly touches the flame and feels pain. Jon has demonstrated what kind of death the Prince will face. Then reminds Gilly of her responsibility to the Prince, a boy which she nourished and cherished. In his words, she had saved one boy from the ice. She now has to save the other from the fire. {{Ref|aDwD|7}}
 
 
 
Gilly protests that the plan will result in Melisandre burning her own son. Jon states that the abomination is safe in not having "king's blood". Melisandre will gain nothing in claiming his life. Stannis will not burn an innocent. At least not if the act earns him nothing and costs him the loyalty of the wildlings. Then Jon Snow offers a future for the boy, promising to raise him at Castle. Offering his ward protection, and training in hunting, horse-riding, use of weapons (sword, axe, and bow), reading and writing. Gilly, still in tears, points that this future results in her son becoming a "crow" of the [[Night's Watch]]. Jon next threatens her. If the Prince dies, the abomination dies on the same day. He will make sure of it. The threat has an effect. Gilly leaves knowing that she has no choice but to accept Jon’s decision. {{Ref|aDwD|7}} <ref>The events of aDwD, Chapter 7 are tied to those of aFfC, Chapter 5. The meeting of Jon Snow and Gilly directly precedes that of Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly. The second meeting is described from two different perspectives. </ref>
 
 
 
[[Val]] has a habit of singing to the boy. Jon has heard Val singing to her supposed nephew. She claims to be singing to herself, the boy just happens to listen to her songs. She admits, however, that the singing makes the boy laugh. She finds him to be "a sweet little monster", which led her to choose the milk name Little Monster for him. {{Ref|aDwD|39}} Jon Snow sends Val north of the Wall, tasked with locating and contacting [[Tormund|Tormund Giantsbane]] for him. He is certain that Val will return for "the boy" which she cares about. Val at first reminds him that "Craster's son" is not part of her kin. With a faint smile on her lips, she soon admits to caring for the boy. She asks Jon to keep the Monster safe and warm, for the sake of Gilly and Val herself. She also asks him to keep the Monster away from Melisandre. Val is convinced that the Red Woman already knows the true identity of the boy. Jon questions whether Melisandre would have let them switch the infants if she knew about their plot. Val replies that the Red Woman could have allowed them to do so because the plot suited her. She reminds him that fire is fickle and unpredictable, clearly equating Melisandre to fire. Val then departs for her mission. {{Ref|aDwD|39}}
 
 
 
[[Selyse Florent]] and her entourage arrive at [[Castle Black]]. The Queen and [[Shireen Baratheon]] are settled in the [[King's Tower]], where Melisandre already resides. {{Ref|aDwD|44}} [[Torghen Flint]] and [[Brandon Norrey]] arrive at Castle Black to attend the wedding of [[Alys Karstark]] and [[Sigorn]], [[Magnar]] of [[Thenn]]. Each of the two men brings with him a wet nurse, answering the requests of Jon Snow. The Little Monster gets two wet nurses and seems to be thriving. {{Ref|aDwD|49}}
 
 
 
==References and Notes==
 
{{references}}
 
  
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[[Category:Characters from Beyond the Wall]]
 
[[Category:Wildlings]]
 
[[Category:Wildlings]]
[[Category:Characters from the North]]
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[[Category:Craster's family]]
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[[fr:Monstre]]
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Latest revision as of 10:08, 8 January 2023

"Monster"
Abomination1.jpg
Sam escaping with Gilly and newborn baby through the haunted forest. Art by Isabel aka Guad©

Aliases
Culture Free folk
Born In 299 AC[5]Craster's Keep[5]
Father Craster
Mother Gilly
Books

The wildling infant son of Gilly and her father-husband Craster has not received a given name yet. Some members of the Night's Watch have called him the abomination,[6][4] as he is a product of incest. Val thinks of him as a sweet little monster and the monster, using it as a milk name.[1] Jon Snow then thinks of the infant as Monster.[2]

Appearance and Character

Gilly's baby is older than Dalla's son, but the other is more robust. They are close enough in age and size that no one can easily distinguish which is which, unless they know them well.[7] At first, unlike Dalla's baby, Gilly's hardly ever cries when he wants to be fed, but sometimes gurgles.[8] He does not suck hard, and only takes a little milk.[9] Some months later, the baby is twice as big and three times as loud, screaming whenever he wants to be fed.[3]

Name

The free folk consider that naming a child too early brings bad luck, since infant mortality is widespread. The children receive proper names when they reach the age of two. Gilly follows the same rule.[10][9] Temporary "milk names" can be assigned prior to the official naming. Val chooses the name "monster" for the boy.[1]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

When the Night's Watch stops at Craster's Keep during the great ranging, Gilly encounters and befriends Samwell Tarly. She is pregnant with Craster's child, and fears that if she gives birth to a son, Craster will sacrifice him to the wood as is done to Craster's sons. She beseeches Samwell to help her, and Samwell agrees, sending her to Jon Snow, to the annoyance of the latter. Gilly appeals to Jon, but he refuses to help her.[11]

A Storm of Swords

After the fight at the Fist, as the Night's Watch pauses to regroup at Craster's Keep, Gilly gives birth to a son. Craster is killed before he can sacrifice the child, however, and in the confusion Gilly and two of Craster's other wives approach Sam to convince him to take Gilly and the babe. Shortly thereafter Sam, Gilly, and her newborn son flee south.[5] Sam sings "The Song of the Seven" to sooth the tiny baby at Whitetree.[10] After arriving at Castle Black, Gilly serves as a wet nurse to the newborn son of Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-the-Wall, after his wife, Dalla, dies in childbirth.[9]

A Feast For Crows

Gilly is sent south aboard a ship to Oldtown (via Braavos) with Samwell, Dareon, and Maester Aemon, ostensibly with her child. However, Jon Snow, the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, has swapped Gilly's son with Dalla's. This is done to spare the innocent child from Melisandre's flames on account of his king's blood, leaving Gilly’s son at the Wall.[8][6]

For much of the journey Gilly is overcome with grief at being separated from her child, but after Aemon's death aboard the Cinnamon Wind and becoming a lover to Samwell, she recovers.[12] Upon their arrival at Oldtown, Gilly is to be sent to Samwell's old home at Horn Hill with the story that the baby with her—actually Mance and Dalla's child—is the bastard son of Gilly and Sam.[13]

A Dance with Dragons

Stannis is glad that Gilly is leaving the Wall, considering her child to be an abomination born of incest. Since Stannis believes that the infant remaining at Castle Black—actually Gilly's child—is the son of Mance and Dalla, Jon protects the boy by explaining that the free folk do not have hereditary Kings-Beyond-the-Wall. Melisandre says it is cruel to separate the milk brothers, and Jon lies that Gilly's son is larger and more robust than Dalla's, kicking and pinching the prince and making it difficult for him to nurse.[14]

Jon Snow recalls how he convinced Gilly to secretly take Dalla's baby and leave her own child behind. He has a nightmare that he ripped the babies from her arms and cut their heads off, then swapped the heads and told her to sew them back on.[7] Before she leaves, Gilly makes Jon promise to find her son a good wet nurse so that he grows up big and strong. She insists that Jon not name him until he is two years old, to prevent bad luck.[7][8]

Val sings to Gilly's baby and refers to him as a "little monster". Val thinks Melisandre is aware of Jon having switched the boys, and she advises Jon to keep Monster away from the red priestess.[1] Lords Torghen Flint and Brandon Norrey each bring a wet nurse when they travel to Castle Black for the wedding of Alys Karstark and Sigorn. Monster thrives under their nursing.[2] Val objects to the baby being in the same tower as Princess Shireen Baratheon, a survivor of greyscale.[3] Leathers thinks Toregg has taken a liking to one of Monster's wet nurses, although Jon thinks Tall Toregg prefers Val.[15]

Quotes

My son. My blood. You think I'd give him to you crows?[5]

Even if Craster gave us the child, he'd be dead before we reached the Wall. We need a newborn babe to care for near as much as we need more snow. Do you have milk to feed him in those big teats of yours? Or did you mean to take the mother too?[5]

Jon: Craster married all his daughters. Gilly's boy was the fruit of their union.
Stannis: Her own father got this child on her? We are well rid of her, then. I will not suffer such abominations here. This is not King's Landing.[14]

A mother can't leave her son, or else she's cursed forever. Not a son. We saved him, Sam and me. Please. Please, m'lord. We saved him from the cold.[7]

Val: How fares the little monster?
Jon: Twice as big as when you left us, and thrice as loud. When he wants the teat, you can hear him wail in Eastwatch.[3]

Val and Jon Snow

Family

 
 
 
Man of the
Night's Watch
 
Free folk
woman
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
Craster
 
 
 
Nella
 
Dyah
 
Ferny
 
14 other
wives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gilly
 
 
 
 
6 sons
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Monster"
 


References